My Two Cents
In September of 1975, a new science-fiction series appeared on British television. Created and produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Space: 1999 followed the trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, after the Moon is accidentally blown out of Earth’s orbit and sent hurtling out into interstellar space. Though the series only ran for two seasons, it picked up a loyal following thanks to a strong cast led by Martin Landau and Barbara Bain (Mission: Impossible), as well as compelling and high-concept storytelling. But one of the show’s greatest strengths was a production design aesthetic that seemed far more plausible and realistic than those of other sci-fi franchises. And no design from Space: 1999 exemplifies this more clearly than the show’s iconic spacecraft, the Eagle Transporter.
Science fiction has certainly shown us other examples of compelling spacecraft on TV and the big screen, including Star Trek’s USS Enterprise and the Millennium Falcon of Star Wars fame. But for anyone interested in spaceflight at the time, the Eagle Transporter—used by the Alphans to shuttle between the Earth and Moon, to travel around the surface, and visit alien planets—seemed like a vehicle that could actually be built, flown, and perform as depicted. That’s because its design has much more in common with NASA’s Lunar Excursion Module (LEM)—which in reality delivered astronauts to the lunar surface six times between 1969 and 1972—than the Enterprise, the Falcon, or any other spacecraft that sci-fi enthusiasts had seen before or since. It’s only natural then that the Eagle has gained a legion of fans over the years. In fact, the author of this review is one of them. [Read on here...]
All right, we’ve got some big news for you today—I’m talking really good stuff. But first as always, we have new disc reviews for you…
I’ve just shared my thoughts on Eleanor Coppola, Fax Bahr, and George Hickenlooper’s legendary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991) documentary as newly-remastered in 4K Ultra HD, as well as Akira Kurosawa’s Ran (1985) in 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD, both from the good people at StudioCanal in the UK.
I've also finally posted my review of Guy Hamilton’s Diamonds are Forever (1971) in 4K Ultra HD from Amazon MGM Studios via Warner Bros. Home Entertainment—the last title in the 007: Sean Connery 6-Film Collection 4K box set that I hadn't yet reviewed before the website went wonky a couple months ago. Work getting the site working again and back up to speed prevented me from posting it, so now I'm finally caught up (and I know that some of you were waiting on Diamonds, so there you go).
Also, just yesterday I reviewed Robert Greenwald’s Xanadu (1980) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Stephen has reviewed Kim Ki-duk’s Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.
Stuart has offered his take on Paul Vecchiali’s Rosa la Rose: fille publique (1986) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films, as well as Imprint’s Directed by… David Lean – Volume One Blu-ray box set, which includes In Which We Serve (1942), This Happy Breed (1944), Blithe Spirit (1945), Brief Encounter (1945), Great Expectations (1946), and Oliver Twist (1948).
Dennis has reviewed Hugh A. Robertson’s Melinda (1972) and John G. Avildsen’s Lean On Me (1989) both on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
And Tim has taken a look at Yoshiyuki Kuroda’s The Invisible Swordsman (1970) on Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
We’ll have more disc reviews for you next week, so be sure to check back then.
Now then… Arrow Video is getting ready to announce its November slate of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD titles, and retail leaks reveal that it will include some great 4K catalog titles licensed from New Line and Warner Bros! [Read on here...]
Welcome to a new week Bits readers!
We’ve got some great news to report for all of you today, and some sad news as well. But first as always, we have some new disc reviews to share…
Stephen has reviewed Sergio Leone’s The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video in the UK, along with Lucio Fulci’s Zombie Flesh Eaters (1970) (aka Zombie) also in 4K UHD from Arrow UK.
Dennis has taken a look at Silvio Amadio’s The Medium (1980) on Blu-ray from Raro Video via Kino Lorber.
And Tim has shared his thoughts on Renny Harlin’s Deep Blue Sea (1999) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video here in the States.
Lots more reviews are forthcoming all this week, so be sure to check back for them!
Now then… the big news this morning is that our friends at the Criterion Collection have just unveiled November slate of Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD releases! And if you’re a subscriber to our Digital Bits Patreon page, you’ll know that we told you that a few of them were coming some weeks ago (so if you’re not yet a subscriber, trust me: Lots more great 4K catalog titles are coming through the end of the year and into 2026). [Read on here...]
We’ve got some great new disc reviews for you to enjoy today, including…
Stephen’s look at George Stevens’ classic western Shane (1953) in 4K Ultra HD from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Tim’s thoughts on Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme (2025) in 4K Ultra HD from Universal and Shane Black’s The Nice Guys (2016) in 4K from Second Sight Films in the UK.
Stuart’s take on a trio of TV movies on Blu-ray from KLSC, including Ants! (1977), Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo (1977), and Terror Out of the Sky (1978), as well as Eiichi Kudô’s Yokohama BJ Blues (1981) on Blu-ray from Radiance Films.
And Dennis’ review of Harold Becker’s The Onion Field (1979) on Blu-ray from Via Vision Entertainment.
Now then… the big catalog release news today is that our friends at Arrow Video have just revealed that they’re releasing New Line’s live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Trilogy for 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray release in the US, UK, and Canada in December (the US date is 12/16, the UK date is 12/15 or 15 December). There will be regular and Arrow Video Store exclusive packaging. [Read on here...]
We have a few big pieces of announcement news to report today here at The Bits!
But first, we’ve got three more new disc reviews for you, including
Stephen’s look at William Friedkin’s Jade (1995) in 4K Ultra HD from Vinegar Syndrome.
Dennis’ review of Bertrand Bonello’s Zombi Child (2019) on Blu-ray from Film Movement and Vinegar Syndrome.
And Stuart’s thoughts on Richard Bartlett’s Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Now then, in announcement news today, the big news is that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Studios have officially set James Gunn’s Superman (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 9/23, with the Digital release due later this week on 8/15. [Read on here...]